Sore hip lands Bruce on DL
DENVER — Jay Bruce’s barking buttocks/hip finally landed him on the disabled list.
The Mets made the move Tuesday, after Bruce missed a fourth start in five games the previous night. Bruce indicated the injury was nagging, leaving him in discomfort some days and fine at other times. He was headed back to New York to receive an MRI exam.
“The more we talked about it the more we thought he was really hurting, so we made the decision to go ahead and put him on the DL and get him right,” manager Mickey Callaway said before the Mets faced the Rockies at Coors Field.
Dominic Smith, a first baseman by trade, was inserted into the starting lineup in left field and figures to receive a steady look at the position. Smith began playing the outfield for Triple-A Las Vegas last month and entered Friday’s game in Arizona as the left fielder.
The outfield at Coors Field is among the most spacious in the major leagues, but Callaway indicated Smith is up for the challenge.
“Go get the ball and get it in,” Callaway said. “There’s so much space in this outfield and that’s all you can ask for: Go get the ball hard and get it in. Don’t try to make a spectacular play, just get the ball in as quick as possible.”
Jose Bautista is the Mets’ other option in the outfield. Callaway indicated it’s unlikely Wilmer Flores will play outfield.
“I think our lineup might be a little stronger with Flo at first and [Smith] in the outfield against these guys so we thought it made a lot of sense,” Callaway said. “We won’t hesitate to put Dom out there like we did today, but Bautista, who has been having great at-bats and playing pretty well in the outfield for us, will get some playing time as well.”
AJ Ramos will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, likely ending his Mets career. The righty reliever, who arrived at the trade deadline in 2017 from the Marlins, was 2-2 with a 6.41 ERA in 28 appearances for the Mets this season. Ramos, who has spent the last three-plus weeks on the disabled list, is a free agent after the season.
Tim Peterson was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Bruce’s roster spot and give the Mets an extra arm in the bullpen, at least through the conclusion of this series on Thursday. He threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts.
“Anything can happen in this ballpark,” Callaway said. “We figured it would be valuable to have that extra reliever.” Noah Syndergaard played catch for a second straight day and reported no discomfort in his right index finger from his throwing session on Monday. The righthander, who has been on the DL for the last 3 ½ weeks, will increase his throwing Wednesday.
Yoenis Cespedes did exercises that involved more movement than previously, according to Callaway. Cespedes remains in Port St. Lucie, Fla., rehabbing a hip flexor injury.